Black Mustard seeds are considered a staple ingredient in many cuisines worldwide. They are the favorites of every chef, thanks to their blissful aroma and peppery flavor in dishes.
These black seeds, with their miniature shape, dark color, and pungent smell, also contribute as a delectable topping in salads, tacos, and roasted seafood.
Black Mustard seeds are also essential for hot and sour pickles because they are the ones that boost the tangy flavor and make the pickles exceedingly spicy and delicious.
However, the problem is that these mustard seeds can sometimes be hard to find. But fret not, as we have compiled a list of the best substitutes you can have in place of black mustard seeds.
Substitutes for Black Mustard Seed
- Brown Mustard Seeds
These seeds are widely used in Indian and Bangladeshi dishes because they add just the right amount of spice to your dishes, just like black mustard seeds. This allows for as much topping as the chef wishes without compromising the flavor.
Nevertheless, because of their firm and rich flavor, these seeds are always used in small amounts in cooking. When substituting them for black mustard seeds, use half the part of the brown ones.
When adding brown seeds to your dishes, don’t forget to roast them in a frypan with a few tablespoons of oil; it will give you a more peppery aroma and taste.
Furthermore, brown mustard seeds also have some health benefits, such as strengthening your bones and nails, thickening your hair, and making your teeth brighter. Not only this, but brown mustard seeds are a valuable source of bioactive compounds like antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
When storing pickles and chutneys, brown mustard seeds can easily replace black mustard seeds. But because the spice content is lower, you will need to add more brown mustard seeds.
- White Mustard Seeds
This variety of black mustard seeds is frequently used in Europe and the USA. Their size is slightly wider than the regular brown or black mustard seeds. Besides that, they also are an essential ingredient in Indian streets and traditional cuisines.
When cooking with white mustard seeds, it is necessary to cook them on low heat to prevent burning. They are mildest in flavor and thus can be used in pulses, vegetables, regular curries, fish, and so forth.
These white mustard seeds are the main element for making American yellow mustard with a pinch of bright-yellow food color or turmeric (yes, that yellow is artificial!).
Additionally, these white seeds are primarily a herb widely used to prepare medicines and treat wounds using chemical-free ointments. They are also thought to be beneficial in treating joint problems, chest congestion, and sore throats, and preventing infections and swelling.
There are over 40 varieties of mustard seeds; white mustard is the least aromatic and effective. Nonetheless, a 1:1 substitution ratio using black mustard seeds is advised. If you can’t measure, always use white mustard more than black seeds since they tend to be milder.
- Horseradish
Horseradish is the next substitute for black mustard seeds on our list. They are a member of the mustard family, and their sharp, pungent flavor goes well with meats and seafood.
Indeed, using them in place of mustard seeds is a terrific idea since they may give your food a new and unique flavor. When using horseradish instead of black mustard seeds, use the same amount, but if you don’t want your food to be peppery, add half as much.
And yes, grinding before adding horseradish to the meal is recommended to enhance the flavor. What’s the best part? White mustard seeds will never make your cuisine taste harsh and intense.
- Mustard Oil
Most people dislike the concept of substituting mustard oil for black mustard seeds, but you’d be surprised to know that it is a great substitute. It is an important ingredient in South Asian kitchens and is extensively used in making salads and veggies.
However, it is not suggested to use it as cooking oil due to the high levels of erucic acid, which is harmful to human health. Moreover, research suggests that mustard oil is the best component for your healthy heart; it decreases the chances of heart attacks.
Not only this, but Mustard oil has several other nutritional benefits as well, such as skin improvement, slow cancer, hair growth, etc., that ultimately make them the best alternative to use in place of black mustard seeds.
- Turmeric
Turmeric, well-known in Asia, is no longer only an Asian spice since it has grown prevalent worldwide. It has the same peppery flavor as black mustard seeds, making it a perfect substitute.
It is commonly seen in meals like curry, dumplings, seafood, lamb chops, karahi, etc. If you’re not a spice lover and want a more balanced diet, turmeric is a great way to get a lighter flavor, thanks to its milder flavor.
Furthermore, health experts recommend using turmeric in all cuisines since it can be effective against many health problems, such as poor digestion, respiratory infections, allergies, liver illness, anxiety, lower cholesterol, and many more.
In addition to that, turmeric is also regarded as the most excellent skincare treatment. In reality, its popularity in Asia is more due to the skincare benefits than the culinary uses. Using turmeric in your daily diet can help you glow, treat acne, reduce dark circles, and so on.
Wasabi powder is a natural spicy substitute for black mustard seed. It is a flavorful spice used by many chefs to enhance the flavor of their dishes, like sushis, curry, karahi, meat, fish, etc.
Well! It’s readily available in superstores and marts but costs more than the substitutes like mustard powder, white seeds, and other substitutes on our list.
But you will surely experience the same hot flavor, tangy aroma, and spicy taste as horseradish. As a matter of fact, wasabi is the dried form of Japanese horseradish.
- Caraway Seeds
Caraway seeds are the best substitute for black mustard seeds when heated, toasted, or used as a seasoning. They are used to flavor foods and other spices, such as cumin, coriander, and fennel.
However, when replacing black mustard seeds, the 1:1 ratio applies. And, of course, if you want your dish to taste extra spicy, consider adding more spoons of these seeds, as they are not notably chili.
They tend to be used frequently in baking and are recognized as the classic component in a British seed cake. Besides Asia, Caraway seeds have also been popular in Scandinavian, Eastern European, and North African cuisine.
The Bottom Line
No doubt, back Mustard seeds offer tons of health benefits and make your food more flavorful. However, they may not be available at your nearby grocery store.
In such cases, opting for its substitutes would be the viable option. You can try from caraway seeds to white mustard, each of them is an ideal alternative.